Wednesday

Pacific Northwest weather is nothing if not changeable—although overall the climate is fairly mild, the Mount Hood area spans three distinct ecosystems, and sudden storms are not uncommon—so stay prepared for the unexpected.

The hottest part of a Mt. Hood summer stretches across July and August, when temperatures may reach triple digits on the east side and mid-80s in the west.

Oregon winters are generally damp, so expect rain in the valleys and plenty of snowfall on Mt. Hood’s slopes.

Summer: Mount Hood area summers are gorgeous, warm and sunny. July and August are the hottest months, when temperatures on the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge will climb into the triple digits. On the westward side of the Mt. Hood National Forest, expect summer weather to be more temperate—high 70s to low 80s.

Fall: Maples and alder along the scenic Columbia River Highway provide a colorful show of splendor as the days shorten in the Pacific Northwest. The Gorge and mountainous areas often enjoy Indian summer through mid-October, with crisp, bright blue weather and temperatures in the 60s.

Winter: In the Oregon valleys, winters tend to be damp; there’s a reason why some of the locals have webbed feet. In western Oregon, expect measurable precipitation on more than half the days between November-March. However, rain in the valleys translates to snow in the mountains—which is why Mount Hood receives more than 400 inches of snowfall each year.

Spring: Spring weather is less predictable in the Northwest, with average high temperatures in the 60s and lows in the 30s-40s. Visitors should dress in layers and prepare for sudden weather changes.